【生詞預覽】

charity善心，kingdred親屬關系，moan呻吟

【笑話原文】

The King’s Brother

A poor man, presenting himself before the King of Spain, asked his charity, telling him that he was his brother.

Thinking desiring to know how he claimed kindred to him, the poor fellow replied, “We are all descended from one common father and mother——Adam and Eve.” Upon which the king gave him a little copper piece of money.

The poor man began to moan himself, saying, “Is it possible that your Majesty should give no more than this to your brother? ”

“Away, away,” replied the king， “if all the brothers you have in the world give you as much as I have done, you'll be richer than I am.”

【中文譯文】

國王的兄弟

一個窮漢去見西班牙國王，說自己是他的兄弟，求他施恩周濟。
國王想知道他何以攀認親戚，窮漢回答說，我們有共同的祖先亞當和夏娃。聽了這話，國王就給了他一個小銅子兒。

于是窮人開始叫屈，說：難道您國王陛下就給兄弟這么一點點錢嗎？走開，快走，國王回答，如果世界上你所有的兄弟們都像我這樣給你一個銅板，你就比我還有錢了。

【詞匯講解】

1.charity善心。也可以指“慈善團體／慈善事業”：These homeless children received some money and clothes from some charities.
一些無家可歸的孩子收到了來自一些慈善機構的錢和衣物。

2.kindred親戚。也可以指“同宗的, 同源的, 有關的”：He found kindred spirits in the peace movement.他在和平運動中找到了志同道合的人。

3.moan呻吟。The prisoner moaned a prayer for help.囚犯呻吟著祈求幫助。
也可以指“抱怨”：She's always moaning that she has too much work to do.她總是抱怨她有太多的事要做。

4.descend源于。不及物動詞：（from）起源（于），是…的后裔／（on）襲擊／（to）把身份降至，淪為

5.copper銅幣。 Have you any coppers in your change?你的零錢里有銅幣嗎?
也可以指“銅”：Copper conducts electricity well.銅是電的良導體。口語里還可以指“警察”。

6. your Majesty陛下。